Grundig Leads the Fleet in FKP Sydney-Mooloolaba Race

by Di Pearson on 9 Apr 2003 Forty-four yachts got away in gusty 20-25 knot south-south-easterly winds this afternoon in the 469 nautical mile FKP Sydney-Mooloolaba Yacht Race, conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

In ideal record-breaking conditions, Syd Fischer’s Ragamuffin was the first to set a kite from the middle of the line, leaving the opposition in her wake.

Of the line honours contenders, two downwind flyers, Sean Langman’s MBD 66, Grundig and the Ray Wallace/Michael Cranitch skippered Broomstick , raced neck and neck until Grundig hoisted her kite leaving the rest of the fleet to fight it out for minor placings.

Broomstick elected to go without spinnaker, watching those carrying kites finding it hard to control their yachts, and being pulled towards North Head in the blustery conditions.

As the yachts approached the heads, spinnakers were dropped, and Grundig still had the advantage, with Broomstick in hot pursuit.

The next-best placed yacht was James and Jenny Neill’s Super 30. The Cone of Silence – at a mere 30’, she headed out to sea leaving George Snow’s Brindabella, Ragamuffin, with two Queensland entries, Robbo Robertson’s Eureka, followed by Paul White’s maxi downwind flyer, Bobsled, (which shredded her kite down the middle just prior to leaving the harbour) behind her.

Others struck trouble in the conditions, the Michael Spies/David Beak skippered P&O Nedlloyd having problems hoisting her main, while John Woodruff’s glamorous Pacific 50 was last out of the heads, her reason unknown.

While the bulk of the fleet are only concerned with this race, others are fighting it out for major prizes in the various point scores.

Bob Steel’s Quest has only to finish the race to take out the prestigious Blue Water Point Score, with Terry Mullens’ Fitness First Sting and Ragamuffin battling for 2nd and 3rd places.

Tactician aboard Quest, Ron Jacob, said they intend to heat up the BBQ, ‘yes, we’ve got a new bigger one now, and I’m in charge of it. I am not lighting in over 25 knots of wind though. We should be right for dinner, though, and I’ve brought some dessert wine to have with it’, he quipped before leaving the dock today.

With two Volvo 60’s in the race, some serious betting couldn’t be helped – Ian Treleaven’s Merit and the Peter Sorensen/Julie Hodder skippered Magnavox 2UE betting a keg of beer on the race. Magnavox think they have it in the bag, with internationally renowned Olympic and offshore sailor, Jamie Wilmot at the helm.

Wilmot was impressed with today’s weather forecast saying ‘this will be pretty good for us, it suits the boat, but I reckon Grundig would be looking good to take the record, and good luck to them’.

Brindabella holds the record for this race in the time of 44 hrs 1 min and 43 secs, and while she is still quick and expected to be a top five finisher, it is the downwind flyers that will have the opportunity to take it away from her this year.

Further news and interviews will be available throughout the race.